Tension for corn-planter check-wires



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VILLIAM EDWARD ItAVLINGS, OF LYNNVILLE, ILLINOIS.

TENSION FOR CORN-PLANTER CHECKEWIRES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 309,647, dated December 23, 1884.

Application filed September 1G, 1884. (Model.) l

in which similar letters of reference indicate.A

corresponding parts in all the gures.

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved teusion for corn-planter checlrwires. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a sectional end elevation of the same, taken through the line :r fr, Fig. 3.

rIlhe object of this invention is to provide means for giving a uniform tautness to cornplanter check wires or ropes each time the said ropes or wires are adjusted, so that the planting can be done in accurate eheck-row.

rIhe invention consists in a tension for cornplanter check-wires constructed with a` stock having a longitudinal perforation provided with a spring, a sliding bar having a recess and an anchor-wire, a sliding bar having a forked hook to receive the check-wire, and teeth to engage with a catclrplate provided with a lever and spring, and au operating-cord and its guide-pulley, whereby the check-wire can be put under a uniform tension. The tension is regulated by aplug screwed into the perforation of the stock for the tension-spring to rest against.

A represents the stock of the tension, through which is :formed a longitudinal perforation, I3.

Vithin the perforation B is placed a spiral spring, C, the rear end of which rests against the forward end of a plug,.D, screwed into the rear end of the perforation B, so that the tension ofthe said spring can be regulated by turning the screw-plug D in or out.

Against the` forward end of the spring C rests the inner end of a bar, E, the projecting outer end of which has a recess, F, formed in its upper side, to receive the catch-plate hereinafter described.

To the inner end of the bar E is attached the end of a wire, G, which passes back through the spring G, through a longitudinal perforation in the adjusting screw-plug D, and has a loop in its projecting rear end to receive the anchor-pin H. The head of the screw-plug D has radial holes formed in it to receive the anchor-pin I-I or other suitable implement for turning the said screw in and out.

In one side of the stock A is formed a dovetailedgroove, I, to receive the bar J, which has a hook, K, upon its forward end, which hook is slotted or forked to receive the checkwire L, the said slot being made of such a size that a knot, M, of the said check-wire cannot pass through it.

In the upper edge of the bar J are formed ratchet-teeth N, t0 receive the catch-plate O, placed at the forward end of the stock A, with its lower edge resting upon the upper edge of the bar E, the teeth N being so formed that the lower edge of the said catclrplate O will not engage with them until the said lower edge ofthe said catch-plate O drops into the recess F of the said bar E. The upper edge ofthe catch-plate O is hinged to the forward end of a lever, I. which is fulcrumed to a support, Q, attached to the 'forward part of the upper side of the stock A, with its free end projecting over the niiddle part of the said stock. The free end of thelever I is pressed upward, holding the catch-plate O down against the bar E by a U-shaped or other spring, R, interposed between the lever P and the stock A.

To the forward Aend of the bar .I or the shank of the forked hook K is attached the end of the cord S, which passes along the lower side of the stock A, passes around a guide-pulley, T, pivoted in a short slot in a projecting arm orflange at the rear end of the said stock A, passes along the upper side of the stock A, and through a keeper, U, attaclied to the said upper side or around a guide-pulley pivoted to the said upper side of the stock A.

In practice a tension is designed to be applied to each end of the check-wire L. Vith this construction when the position of the check-wire L is to be changed, the tension is taken to the new position,the said check-wire is drawn taut, and the anchor-pin I-I is passed IOO through the loop of the wire G and forced into the ground, the bar J being kept from being drawn out of its socket by a stop-pin, V, attached to its rear part,and which strikes against a keeper, XV, attached to the side of the stock A. The keeper W is made in the form of a plate, and has a recess, X, in the upper edge to receive the edge of the catchplate O, and which recess is made of such a depth that its bottom will be on a level with the bottom of the recess F in the bar E, so that the said catch-plate when it drops into the recess F can engage with the teeth N of the bar J.

Upon the forward vend of the stock A is formed a lug, Y,which projects upward at the outenside of the catchplate O to keep the said catch-plate in place and prevent itslower part from swinging forward. The cord S is then drawn upon, which forces the stock A forward and draws the bars J and E back,coin

pressing the spring C, and putting the check- Having thus described my invention, wh at I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A tension for corn-planter check-wires,

. constructed substantially as herein shown -and described, and consisting of the stock A, having perforation B, provided with the spring C, the sliding bar E, having recess F and the anchor-wire G, the sliding bar J, having forked hook K and teeth N, the catch-plate O and its lever and spring l? R, and the cord S and its guide-pulley T, whereby the checkwire can be put under a uniform tension, as set forth.

2. In a tension for corn-planter check-wires, the combination, with the stock A and the spring G,of the screw-plug D, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said spring can be readily set to give any desired tension to the check-wire, as set forth.

3. In a tension for corn-planter check-wires,

the coinbinatioinwith the stock A,the springpressure bar E,having recess F, and the sliding bar J, having teeth N, of the catch-plate O and its lever and spring P R, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said bars and stock will be locked together when the desired tension has been given to the check-wire, as set forth. 4. In a tension for corn-planter check-wires, the combination, with the stock A and the sliding bars-J E, connected with thecheckwire and the anchor-wire, of the cord S and guide-pulley T, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby `the said stock can be pushed forward and the said bars drawn back to give the desired tension to the check-wires, as set forth.

WVM. EDWARD RAVVLINGS.

Witnesses:

CHAs. PACKARD, JOHN R. M. WArsoN. 

